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Environment DEC


From the February 2008 issue

$150,000 Fine Marks Settlement with Syracuse Company

The Syracuse company Roth Steel Corporation has agreed to pay a $150,000 fine and upgrade its practices to resolve alleged violations regarding solid waste, stormwater runoff and air emissions, and to ensure that contaminated material does not flow into Onondaga Lake, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced recently.

Settlement Addresses Several Regulated Areas

stormwater drain
Pollutants enter surface waters during rain or snow and flow into rivers and lakes through stormwater drains

Adjacent to Onondaga Lake, Roth runs a metal shredding business, focusing on automobiles. DEC had charged Roth with improperly disposing of solid waste and hazardous substances, failing to control stormwater runoff from the facility, failing to prevent petroleum discharges, and other violations. Along with the penalty, the settlement orders Roth to investigate two landfill cells that hold a material called "shredder fluff" to determine whether any contaminants from these cells are leaching into the lake. The Roth shredder fluff (used in car interiors and upholstery) contained polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a suspected carcinogen, as well as numerous other contaminants. Importantly, the agreement signed by Roth allows DEC to deal with compliance issues in a variety of regulated areas (air, water and solid waste) in one consent order.

"DEC is committed to its mission of safeguarding New York's natural resources," DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis said. "This settlement does just that, tackling a variety of violations and helping protect Onondaga Lake."

Strict Compliance Schedule Called For

The settlement calls for a strict compliance schedule. The company must investigate the shredder fluff landfill cells and, if there are leaks of contaminants from them, remove and properly dispose of the material. The company must also submit a plan by the end of January to investigate and remedy any automobile fluid discharges, and develop and implement plans for dealing with stormwater and air emissions issues.